I think the reason you don't like the Prisoner is because it's not a blend you're used to. It's a very different blend to put it mildly and up against a Carnival of Love it won't stand a chance.

The older vintages of The Prisoner are great/good, this one is CRAP, weak, insipid....... as a blend I strongly prefer the BV Beau Rouge at $23 a pop

The Carnival of Love is very good, still think the 2004 "Stella's Garden" is better at $44... versus $70 for Carnival

Tonight we are trying a few drops with my mates while we watch the UEFA CL

2010 Maitre'D - heavy wine.... not refined but retty good for $23 a pop and an old rare South Aussie made by a girl's brother I went to school with .............. 2002 Glaymond Landrace Shiraz/Mataro which Parker rated a 97/100 (he is clearly on drugs but we will see) at $44 a pop

Tanzer gave the Glaymond Landrace a 91/100, Parker a 96/100 (sorry about my earlier report). it is a big ass wine like you would find from Mollydooker or Rockford.... a little more gamey and refined than the MD Carnival of Love.. am decanting for 5 hours

Tanzer gave the Glaymond Landrace a 91/100, Parker a 96/100 (sorry about my earlier report). it is a big ass wine like you would find from Mollydooker or Rockford.... a little more gamey and refined than the MD Carnival of Love.. am decanting for 5 hours

Oregon has some amazing Pinot and the region is getting more and more recognition. Not the value it once was but definitely worth exploring.

Yup, that's the one. My first time there. It was impressive, for a wine mega-store.

Yea, that's why I went. Been hearing lots of buzz about Oregon pinots and wanted something to compare against the pinots I picked up in Santa Barbara. That's kinda why I picked up the Burgandy too, to compare against my Cali/SB pinots.

Between the two, so far SB pinots takes the cake over Oregon. I like that big, fruit forward wine that Cali (in general) seems to be known for. Oregon seems a little more reserved, more earthy/vegetal. The one Oregon pinot I liked tonight reminded me of a Cali cab, dark fruits and more body (but not big by any means). Whether that's a compliment to the pinot or not, I don't really know.

Between the two, so far SB pinots takes the cake over Oregon. I like that big, fruit forward wine that Cali (in general) seems to be known for. Oregon seems a little more reserved, more earthy/vegetal. The one Oregon pinot I liked tonight reminded me of a Cali cab, dark fruits and more body (but not big by any means). Whether that's a compliment to the pinot or not, I don't really know.

Planning on doing a side by side tasting of a SB Pinot and a French Burgandy tomorrow night. Should be an interesting old/new world comparison. I think both are ~90ish points, so hopefully I selected wines that are evenly matched.